Ravioli Stew

This is a recipe I made quite often when our children were young, mostly because it's one of those freezer recipes (make two, freeze one) that saves bunches of time. And it's so versatile that you can use whatever you have on hand!

Ravioli Stew

ingredients: (double the amounts if you intend to freeze half for a future meal)

1 pound ground beef, sweet Italian sausage, or ground pork - choose your favorite or go meatless

1/4 cup bread crumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (the kind in the green can)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup chopped onion

canned tomatoes - sauce, crushed, diced - however you like them

1 quart broth - beef or vegetable

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 Tablespoon parsley flakes

1 package frozen cheese filled ravioli

Brown the meat (if you're using it) in a large pot. Drain and return to the pot.

Add the onions to the meat and cook them until they're transparent.

Add the rest of the ingredients (except ravioli) and bring the stew to a boil. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or so. Stir occasionally, and add some water if the stew gets too thick.

At this point, you can put half of the stew in the freezer and save it for a busy day.

In a separate large pot, cook the ravioli according to package directions.

Put one serving of cooked ravioli in a large bowl and ladle the stew over the pasta. Top with additional Parmesan cheese and serve with a salad and some garlic bread. Seasoned croutons are also a great addition! Just sprinkle them on the top.

Like I said, this has been a family favorite for years!

This post is actually and two-in-one when it comes to meal ideas. :)

One thing my husband and I like to do on these long spring and summer evenings is to take a picnic to Custer State Park, find a quiet pull-off, and enjoy the wildlife.

A week or so ago, we stopped by a little grocery store and picked up some deli sandwiches. We found our quiet spot and watched the bison and antelope while we listened to the meadowlarks in the meadows around us.

Have you ever heard a meadowlark's song?

Meanwhile, we watched a storm pass by to the north.

The pictures don't convey even half the beauty.

Before long, the storm had passed, we had finished our supper, and we went on our way.

The evening was wearing on and we wanted to get home before dark. As we drove along, we spotted these two young bison making their way down a hill. They must have been grazing on top during the afternoon, but now were on their way to a watering hole and a quiet place to spend the night.

It's always a sad moment when we turn our truck toward home after a foray into the Hills, but the end of the day must come, right?

We'll be back soon, though. Maybe this week....

Don't forget - Naomi's Hope is coming out next month!!!

You can pre-order Naomi's Hope through my website: www.JanDrexler.com

Jan Drexler loves her family, her home, cooking and just about anything made by hand. But she loves her Lord most of all.

Stop by Jan's website to learn more about her books: www.JanDrexler.com